Boy alerts police after fatal shootout with drunken father

Boy alerts police after fatal shootout with drunken father

A shocking incident shocked residents of Phuket's Thalang district on December 21st. A young boy bravely called 911 after witnessing his drunken father firing shots and injuring his mother. Thattaphong, 41, was arrested by police at his residence after the boy raised the alarm. When officers arrived, the mother, 35 years old and identified as Wiphaporn, had already been taken to Thalang Hospital with a serious gunshot wound.

The events took place on Soi Nam Tok Ton Tho. According to the initial investigation, Thattaphong had consumed heavy alcohol and fired a weapon. A bullet hit Wiphaporn in the right shoulder, causing a serious injury. Neighbors rushed to help and immediately took her to the clinic. Tragically, Wiphaporn was hit by a bullet when she came home to drop off some things. The brave boy reported the situation during telephone contacts with his mother.

Investigations and gun laws

When searching the house, officers found not only the used 9mm pistol, but also two homemade weapons, one compatible with .38 caliber and the other with 11mm ammunition. Thattaphong has a criminal history, including previous convictions for assault, which highlights the seriousness of his current situation. He now faces charges of attempted murder, illegal possession of a weapon and firing a weapon under the influence of alcohol.

Gun laws are extremely strict in Thailand. According to Siam Center Law Group, there are clear regulations regarding the acquisition, possession and carrying of firearms. Citizens are only allowed to own weapons under certain conditions, and carrying them in public is strictly regulated. Of particular note are the strict penalties for unlawful possession of weapons, which can range up to life in prison or even the death penalty if weapons are used in a crime.

A bigger problem?

The incident in Phuket is not just a tragic individual fate. It is part of a worrying development within the country. In October 2023, a 14-year-old opened fire at the Siam Paragon shopping center in Bangkok, bringing the issue of gun violence back into focus. Thailand ranks 13th among the countries with the highest civilian gun ownership, with over 10.34 million guns in civilian ownership. These figures cast a shadow over the government's efforts to increase security in schools and other public places.

Krisanaphong Poothakool, an expert in criminology, criticized the inadequate implementation of security measures in sensitive facilities such as daycare centers and called for urgent action to combat gun violence. This call is all the more urgent given that the country has already faced dramatic incidents in the past, such as the shooting rampage in Nong Bua Lamphu in which 36 people were murdered. Survivors and grieving families have been struggling with the traumatic memories ever since.

The Phuket incident and subsequent investigations shine a bright light on the challenges Thailand faces in handling and regulating weapons. The population and the authorities are now called upon to take action and create a safe environment for everyone.